Feral Heart by Duron Crejaro (distant reading .TXT) 📕

trying to find the voice. Aeolia shimmered into existence nonchalantly a few feet from me. All my excitement drained from me, if she was here, something was wrong. She wouldn’t journey all the way out here for just any old reason. I gulped, “What’s up Aeolia?”

 

“Your presence is requested in Springwell, something has, happened.” She was vague, distant. Her melodic voice was terse, I knew whatever it was, I wasn’t going to like it.

 

“Ok, let us finish loading up and we will head back right away.” I said motioning to Tarin and the truck.

 

She gave a quick shake of her head, “No time for wasting, Tarin can make it back well enough on his own. Can’t you?” She gave him a knowing look that dared him to argue.

 

He nodded, and set about once again loading the truck. I noticed he was moving quicker than usual, he seemed rushed now. He said nothing but his body language decried concern.

 

I sighed. Of course my bliss couldn’t last. I felt cursed. If it wasn’t one thing, it was another. No rest for me I thought. I wonder what disaster fate has lain at my feet this time. “Let’s go I guess.” I felt Aeolia’s hand on my shoulder, and we were gone. 

Chapter 24: The News

The trip through the ether didn’t leave me as disoriented this time. We appeared in the same spot; I would’ve expected gawkers, but the square was quite empty. She set off, or I guess I should say floated off, towards Bobby’s. I followed, determination in my stride, I gave little notice to the few townsfolk I passed.

 

As we approached Bobby’s, I knew why the town looked empty. A large crowd gathered around Bobby’s house, and Sesha, Tarin’s farther, along with several other tribesmen stood guard along the porch. I had no idea if they were there to guard the townsfolk, or to keep them from whatever danger lurked within. I gulped and pushed my way through the crowd. Sesha nodded at me as he stepped to the side. With apprehension, I pulled the door open and stepped inside.

 

I could hear them before I could see them. Cami wailed incoherently as Bobby tried to calm her. Nali, connected to Cami, fluttered mid-air, a mess of fast paced cries and squeaks. My fear grew as I approached the bedroom door. A horrible sense of dread crawled through my spine and stomach, how bad could it be inside? A million thoughts ran through my mind. Not one of them could have prepared me for what lay beyond the door.

 

The bed had a strange red hue to it, a crimson chaos of bloody towels, and lying in the middle of it all, a battered beaten figure, that I soon realized had to be Dhamon. My knees went weak, and I thought I might collapse on the spot. His face was mashed, a swollen blueish-purple disaster. Someone worked him over good. “Who did this?” I cried out as I neared closer to the bed. “Did the Wylder do this? Is that why there are guards posted?” I said, looking at Bobby.

 

He gave a shake of his head, “No, I know of no Wylder that would do this to an unarmed human. Binala found him wandering the Old World; a few miles outside the wall of Nashboro.”

 

“Then why all the guards?”

 

“To keep the curious away, and just in case whoever did this to him isn’t finished. He fell unconscious right after she found him, and we just don’t know who did this to him, or if he is going to wake up.”

 

The edges of my eyes brimmed with tears, “How bad is it? Is he going to die?” I pulled Cami into a deep warm hug as I spoke to Bobby; I could only imagine how devastated she felt.

 

“I’m no doctor, so I couldn’t say for sure. He isn’t Wylder, so his injuries will heal human slow.” The moisture from Cami’s tears pooled on my shirt, and stuck to me.

 

“Isn’t there anything we can do for him? All these Wylder with strange gifts, someone has to have the power to help him.” I retorted, rage bleeding through my tone. A rouge color rose across my face. Once again, I found myself asking for more help from those that had already done so much for me.

 

“It’s not something that I’ve heard of anyone being able to do,” He shrugged.

 

I helped Cami up off the floor, and led her to the living room. No need for her to sit in despair watching. We sat on the couch, forlorn, in silence. “You want a drink?” I asked

 

She gave a brief shake of her head, her face soaked with tears and hair in wild disarray. “Come on, I know crying is thirsty work.” I urged, and without waiting for an answer, I retreated to the kitchen for drinks. I rummaged through the fridge, which I thought well stocked for such a small town. I grabbed two waters and started back for the living room. I paused near the door; I could hear a conversation. Had someone come in? No, I realized, Cami had begun talking to Nali.

 

“He can’t die, he just can’t.” She spoke, the indignation of the thought bleeding from her voice. “He’s the only guy I’ve ever loved. I know they did this to him because of us.”

 

I felt a sad smile creep across my face. It’s true I thought, she’s had her heart set on Dhamon for years now. I could remember, even as younger kids, her chasing after him, yearning. I could see them through the doorway, though I remained unnoticed.

 

Nali hugged her from behind, draping herself across Cami’s back. “We could try you know?”

 

“Try? I don’t understand.” A gasped sob resounded from her as she spoke.

 

“Well, I’m not sure how to explain it. I can feel people.” She wore a puzzled expression as she searched for words not natural to her. “I see their spirits I think, or whatever part of them is the same as me.”

 

“But try what? You’re not making much sense Nali.” She whined.

“I’m not sure, but I can try to heal him from the inside. I don’t know what will happen or if it will even help.” She squeezed Cami a bit harder, “But I’d try anything to make you feel better.”

 

“Will it hurt you?”

 

“Oh, I’m sure it’ll be fine, what’s the worst that could happen.” Her mood light, almost chipper.

 

I interrupted, as I stepped into the room with the waters. “I’m not sure this is a good idea. What if something happens to Nali and Dhamon still doesn’t make it?” I said. I had a flutter of hope wash over me as I had listened, but someone needed to be the voice of caution.

 

Cami smiled through the tears, “You heard her, it should be fine.” Her movements were more graceful, full of energy. The thought of saving him had revitalized her.

 

She stood, Nali in tow and headed to where Dhamon lay. I followed, what else could I do. I stood, transfixed at the door. Cami knelt next to the bed, taking his limp hand in hers. Her eyes closed as she concentrated. An electric buzz filled the air, emanating from her. It vibrated across my skin, alive, full of energy. I could feel the weight of its power pressing against me.

 

Nali hovered over Dhamon, her head cocked to the side as she watched him. Her body gleamed, iridescent, then paled, as she turned translucent and winked out of existence. I was horrified that something had gone wrong, but the force never wavered and soon Dhamon began to flicker with an ethereal light. Vague at first, hard to discern, but grew in intensity till it was painful. My brain forced me to look away; my eyes squeezed shut of their own volition, trying to block it out.

 

As fast as it started, the light faded. I looked back, not sure what to expect. Dhamon no longer looked half dead. His breathing slowed, relaxed, as peacefulness fell upon him. I crept closer in silence afraid I might wake him. His clothing remained in shambles, and his face looked no better, but he didn’t appear to be hanging onto frayed edges of life.

 

Cami stood and I took her hand in mine as we watched. A flutter in his eyes brought him to consciousness. He stared ahead, a lost look on his face as his eyes adjusted. Then he saw us, recognition apparent on his face. I thought he might smile, or make one of his usual attempts at wit. I was mistaken. I will never forget his first words to us.

 

A sad apathetic tremble rode his voice as he spoke, “I’m sorry. They took your families.”

 

It took a few moments for those words to sink in. It came as a small wave far offshore, growing as it moved closer. Huge, insurmountable, destructive as it crashed over me. It hit me with an overpowering force that crushed my world around me. My hand slipped from Cami’s as the shock turned to darkness.

Chapter 25: The Awakening

 

I awoke to find myself in one of the spare rooms at Bobby’s. I didn’t know what time it was, but from the lack of light shining through the window, I knew it must be after sunset. I sighed, wanting more than anything just to roll over and go back to sleep. Maybe if I pretended none of this happened, I would wake up tomorrow only to find it had been a concoction of my imagination. A warm strong hand slipped beneath the covers to take mine. A concerned gentleness filled me and I looked over, already knowing what I’d find.

 

Tarin smiled, “Welcome back. You had us a little worried when you fainted.”

 

I forced a smile in return, I still felt numb, empty. “I guess it was just to much of a shock for me. How is Dhamon doing?”

 

“He’s still very weak, but Bobby thinks he will survive. No one is quite sure what Nali did, but it worked.”

 

“Yes, I dunno. I could feel the power in whatever she did. It amazed me.” He looked away, only for a moment but it was enough. “What?”

 

“Well, Nali hasn’t reappeared. Cami says she can still feel her, but she can no longer talk to her.”

 

“What about our families, has he said anything else about what’s going on in Nashboro?”

 

“Um, I think maybe you should have that conversation with him yourself. Not now though, it’s late and you should get some more sleep.